Manchester United have made a coaching offer to goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.

Although United manager Sir Alex Ferguson hopes to install England prospect Ben Foster as his No 1 next season, he is keen to keep the 37-year-old veteran on his staff and he has spoken to Van der Sar about a dual role, says the Daily Mail.

With keeper coach Tony Coton's future at the mercy of a knee injury that recently required surgery, Ferguson is aware that he may need extra help with his vast coaching network.

The only sticking point is whether Van der Sar feels he can continue to play regular football elsewhere as the first-choice keeper, because it seems he is not ready to retire.

But Ferguson believes he could offer a great deal to current No 2 Tomasz Kuszczak and Foster, who is making excellent progress after knee surgery and could be in contention for a first team place by the end of the season.